A Timeline of Tragedy

A Timeline of Tragedy

Mapping decades of live export disasters.Click on the buttons below to read more.

Events occurring on land

Events occurring at sea

Events occurring in the air

Significant community-led changes

RSPCA campaigns

2010-Present

2018 | March

Report reveals suffering in Malaysia, Vietnam and Israel
The latest report on the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) involves 514 animals and includes the outcomes of four new investigations resulting in six major breaches relating to animals exported to Malaysia, Vietnam and Israel, and two critical breaches pertaining to animals exported to Vietnam.
The report describes all too familiar scenes such as lame animals, sheep dragged by ropes around the neck and legs, trussed into the boots of cars, ear tags being removed to prevent traceability and animals being taken to private residences and slaughtered with ‘a sawing motion’.
More concerning still were the additional reports of major noncompliance by a repeat offending importer in Vietnam who the Department of Agriculture suspended back in 2015 only to re-approve the business for receiving Australian cattle several months later.

19 buffalo, 4 cattle die on board
The incident is currently still under investigation by the Government.

2017 | September

Buffalo deaths
6 buffalos die during a live export journey to live export. A definitive cause of death was not determined.

2017 | September

6 buffalo, 3 cattle die on board
The incident is currently still under investigation by the Government.

2017 | August

2,400 sheep die on board
2,400 sheep perish aboard the Awassi Express en route to Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE amounting to a mortality rate of 3.76%. The Government report noted that the majority of the deaths were caused by heat stress despite the actions of crew which included opening “some excessively boggy pens and those in hotter areas”.

2017 | May

Fears Australian ponies, horses and donkeys could face live export
Senate Estimates hearing reveals the federal Department of Agriculture was preparing regulatory changes to facilitate live export of equines such as ponies, horses and donkeys for slaughter.
RSPCA petition against a future trade tabled in Parliament with 21,000+ Australians calling to expressly prohibit the live export of all equines for the purposes of slaughter.

Vietnam market shambolic as Australian cattle suffer
The Government’s latest quarterly report into the regulatory performance of the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System shows the state of the Vietnamese market. In total, the report records 22 findings of non-compliance against seven exporters, including six critical and eight major non-compliances. Many of these animals were sold outside approved supply chains, and likely met the horrific fate of being bludgeoned to death with sledgehammers as exposed on the ABC’s 7.30 report in June.

Buffalo deaths
7 buffalos die en route to Malaysia. A definitive cause of death was not determined.

2016 | July

Extreme humidity leads to death of sheep
Approximately 3,027 sheep perish aboard the Al Messilah en route to Qatar, Kuwait, UAE and Oman amounting to a 4.36% mortality rate. The Government report noted that “heat stress was the cause of this reportable mortality. Extremely hot and humid weather was encountered while travelling through the lower Arabian Gulf to Qatar and there conditions persisted during a lengthy discharge.

Sheep stuffed into car boots in Kuwait, Cattle sledgehammered in Vietnam
The Government’s quarterly report into the regulatory performance of the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) provides another litany of horrific treatment of Australian livestock including:
-Thousands of sheep being sold outside of approved supply chains in Kuwait.
-Sheep being trussed and thrown into car boots and slaughtered in makeshift slaughter rooms at livestock markets.
-Cattle being roped and struck multiple times in the head with sledgehammers in Vietnam.

Cattle deaths en route to Vietnam
15 cattle die whilst being exported to Vietnam. The Government’s mortality report said a cause of mortality could not be identified and that, ‘The cool and wet conditions and a prolonged stay of cattle in Premises A (up to 40 days) before export may have contributed to the lameness, downers and subsequent mortalities during the voyage.’

2016 | April

155 cattle die at sea
155 cattle die while being exported to Mexico. The Government’s mortality report puts the main cause of death was Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD).

2016 | April

155 cattle die during voyage and in port
Pneumonia accounted for 102 deaths, bloat for 2 deaths, “a further 16 cattle died with pneumonia during the 3 days discharge and 35 cattle were euthanased in port due to being unfit to discharge” according to the Government report.

2016 | March

Cattle face horrific slaughter in Gaza, cattle “lost” by exporter in Thailand
The Government’s quarterly Regulatory Performance Report on Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) includes incidents in Gaza of ‘cattle being forcibly dragged or made to jump off trucks,’ ‘slaughter without the use of appropriate restraint facilities’, ‘the use of multiple cuts and stabbing or sawing motions’, and ‘animals still conscious several minutes after first cut made’.
The report also states 134 cattle were ‘lost’ by the exporter in Thailand, which later turned up in Vietnam.

2016 | March

25 cattle die at sea
14 cattle died during the voyage to Vietnam; 14 as a result of being unable to stand or walk, and five due to pneumonia. The Government’s mortality report attributes the deaths to, “Wet conditions in the registered premises where cattle were held before export caused softened hooves resulting in infection and lameness. In addition, the vessel experienced rough conditions on the last few days of the voyage.”

2016 | March

13 cattle die from respiratory disease
13 cattle die en route to Vietnam with respiratory disease being the main factor in their deaths.

2016 | January

Sheep and Cattle stranded off Western Australia
Mechanical failure on-board the MV Ocean Outback sees 7,400 sheep and 5,600 cattle docked off Fremantle for over 10 days during summer weather. The sheep were offloaded as the 5,600 cattle were live exported to Vietnam on the same ship, and endured an even longer journey due to only one working engine after already spending 2 weeks on-board. In February 2016 4,800 of the original consignment of sheep were then on-sold to be live exported after Wellard’s contradicted its statement that all 7,400 sheep would be processed in Western Australia.

Stranded vessel puts livestock at risk
The MV Ocean Outback breaks down near Perth, forcing 13,000 sheep and cattle onboard to endure the Australian summer for over a week while repairs are undertaken.

2015 | October

Hundreds of sheep suffer during Eid Festival of Sacrifice
Video evidence shows disturbing footage of Australian animals suffering during the Eid Festival of Sacrifice after exporters lost control of hundreds of sheep in Kuwait and Oman.

Sheep suffer in the Middle East
An ABC 7:30 report highlighted the suffering of thousands of Australian sheep sold outside of the supply chain in Kuwait, Oman and the UAE during the annual Festival of Sacrifice.

Lack of ventilation leads to sheep and goat deaths
Lack of ventilation leads to sheep and goat deaths 125 sheep and 48 goats die whilst being exported to Malaysia by air. The Government’s mortality report says “(failure of the main system) during a transit stop caused increased temperatures, humidity, carbon dioxide and ammonia levels were the main factors…”

2015 | June

Cattle and sheep suffer in Israel
Investigations show Australian cattle having their throats cut while fully conscious in inhumane inversion boxes and staggering onto the kill floor. They then have their tails broken and are hung while still alive and conscious. At the same facility sheep are beaten and forced to jump off the back of a truck because no ramp was provided. This all happens inside an Australian-approved abattoir.

Cattle suffer in Vietnam
Video evidence shows Australian animals brutally having their skulls crushed with sledgehammers in backyard abattoirs in Vietnam despite exporters holding crisis meetings in March and implementing a ‘new’ six-point plan including the installation of CCTV cameras in all Australian-approved abattoirs.

Sheep suffer in Kuwait
RSPCA Australia launches campaign Meat exports vs Live exports - the real story focusses on the benefits of a transition to a meat-only trade. The infographics for the campaign help supporters take action. (Link to http://www.rspca.org.au/meat-vs-live-exports)

2015 | February

33 cattle die at sea en route to Thailand
The Government’s mortality report did not give a definitive cause for 33 deaths and said no obvious abnormalities were found by a stockperson on board. However, no additional laboratory testing was completed.

2015 | January

5 cattle die en route to Japan
The deaths were the result of Injuries sustained from very rough weather and respiratory disease.

2014 | October

Sheep suffer in Kuwait
Video footage allegedly showing hundreds of Australian sheep being sold illegally outside the supply chain in Kuwait emerges. Vision shows sheep being thrown into the back of utes and car boots in searing temperatures above 40 degrees.

2014 | October

7 buffalo die en route to Vietnam
No definitive cause of death was determined, however the Government’s mortality report stated, …”the cause was likely multifactorial, including an overload of buffalo and stress during mustering and trucking.”

2014 | October

Sheep suffer in Jordan
Thousands of Australian sheep are allegedly sold illegally outside the supply chain in Jordan in the lead up to the Eid (Festival of Sacrifice).

2014 | October

11 cattle die at sea en route to Vietnam
Injuries and pneumonia led to the death of 11 cattle on board a live export vessel to Vietnam.

2014 | October

7 buffalo, 1 cattle die during voyage
The department is investigating the cause of the mortality event. The investigation is not yet finalised.

174 sheep die in the air
A lack of ventilation from underperforming air conditioning was the most likely cause of death for 174 sheep on a plane en route to Singapore.

2014 | October

Sheep die mid-flight
174 Australian sheep die during a flight from Perth to Singapore. It’s believed the animals suffered a horrendous death – allegedly caused by asphyxiation. In incident is under investigation.

2014 | May

Cattle suffer in Mauritius
An Australian Government investigation into the cruel treatment of cattle reported in October 2013 which saw Australian animals suffer in the streets of Mauritius has found an unknown number of cattle exported by International Livestock Exports to the country were sold outside of an approved supply chain and subjected to pain, suffering and distress through inhumane roping slaughter. A major non-compliance was recorded against the company.

2014 | May

Sheep suffer in Jordan
An Australian Government investigation into horrific animal cruelty reported in October 2013 which saw Australian sheep suffer in Jordan has found that at least 2,718 sheep exported by Livestock Shipping Services (LSS) were moved outside of an approved supply chain in the country. As a result a critical non-compliance was recorded - this follows a previous major non-compliance against LSS in relation to Jordan.

2014 | April

Animals suffer in Gaza
Animals Australia provided additional material and information to the Government regarding animal cruelty in Gaza to be included in an investigation implemented in March 2014. The material shows animals alleged to be Australian being brutally handled, having their tendons slashed and eyes stabbed.

The information has been added to the current investigation underway.

2014 | April

Alleged corruption used in live export shipment
ABC’s 7:30 allegedly uncovered criminal activity in the live export trade, with allegations of fraudulent documentation being used by the Wellard Group in 2012 export of a shipment of Australian sheep. RSPCA Australia demands the AFP be included in an independent investigation.

2014 | March

Cattle suffer in Israel
Animals Australia makes an official complaint to the government regarding the treatment of cattle during unloading in Israel. Videos submitted to the government show cattle being hit, kicked and unnecessarily stressed.

A government investigation into the incident was undertaken, the report can be viewed here:

Cattle slaughtered brutally in Gaza
Successive reports to the Department of Agriculture provided by Animals Australia highlight ongoing cruelty to Australian cattle in four unapproved facilities in Gaza. In addition, the reports assert that cattle exported from Australia by Livestock Shipping Services (LSS) continue to be slaughtered in an approved facility which is allegedly operating despite multiple breaches of ESCAS standards. An investigation by the Department of Agriculture is in process.

2014 | February

More than 1500 animals die at sea
1,495 Australian sheep and 162 Australian cattle died on route to the Middle East while aboard the MV Ocean Drover. Mechanical issues and a change of feed are allegedly the cause of the high mortality rate. A Government investigation into the incident is underway.

2013 | October

Bulls suffer on the streets of Mauritius
An investigation uncovers the cruel treatment of Australian bulls in Mauritius after they were on-sold outside of the supply chain against regulations.

Cattle suffer in Gaza Strip
Footage uploaded to YouTube during the Festival of Sacrifice reveals horrific treatment of Australian cattle in the Gaza Strip in Palestine. Among other things, the animals are seen being beaten, kicked and stabbed in the eyes.

Cattle suffer in Malaysia
An anonymous report received by the Australian Government includes details of Australian cattle allegedly being poorly managed, handled and slaughtered against international recommendations. The subsequent investigation cannot substantiate the cruelty reports but does confirm that animals were ‘lost’ by the exporter.

2013 | August

Sheep die at sea
4,179 sheep die from heat stress on-board the MV Bader III en route to Qatar and the UAE. 3,180 of these deaths happened on day 21 of the voyage when the ship encountered extreme weather conditions.

2013 | June

Sheep suffer in Israel
Australian animals are punched, kicked, hit and thrown while being unloaded from two livestock vessels in Israel. An Australian Government investigation following the incident results in minor sanctions placed on the exporters, they are now required to increase the oversight by the on-board vet and stockman and implement further training and self-reporting requirements.

Sheep and cattle suffer in Israel
Animals Australia is provided with footage showing Australian animals being treated cruelly while being unloaded from the MV Bader III in Israel. A subsequent Australian Government investigation confirms regulatory breaches did occur.

Sheep suffer in Israel
Animals Australia supplies the Australian Government with a report alleging Australian animals were not given food or water for 48 hours before being unloaded upon arrival in Israel.

Sheep suffer in Jordan
An investigation reveals sheep being sold at roadside stalls in Jordan – a breach of the Australian Government's Exporter Supply Chain Assurance Scheme (ESCAS) regulations. Investigators witness sheep being slaughtered in roadside butcher shops.

Sheep illegally sold in Lebanon
Reports uncover evidence of sheep being on-sold from Jordan to Lebanon – a country without approval to import Australian animals.

2013 | May

Cattle suffer in Malaysia
An investigation shows inhumane handling and slaughter of cattle at an abattoir in Malaysia. A subsequent investigation by the Australian Government failed to determine which exporter was responsible.

Goats suffer in Malaysia
An investigation shows goats being roughly handled, stuffed into bags and car boots and sold into unapproved facilities, against ESCAS regulations.

Sheep and cattle suffer in Israel
Animals Australia is provided with footage showing Australian animals being treated cruelly while being unloaded in Israel. A subsequent Australain Government investigation confirms regulatory breaches occurred.

Animals suffer in accredited abattoirs
An investigation reveals terrified Australian animals being mistreated in two Australian Government approved Egyptian processing facilities. Animals are seen having their eyes stabbed, leg tendons slashed and slaughtered while fully conscious.

Pregnant cattle illegally exported
An investigation undertaken by Animals Australia reveals pregnant cows being shipped to Mauritius for slaughter. Two of the cows gave birth during the voyage, four were found to be pregnant when they were slaughtered and further testing revealed many others were also pregnant. An investigation shows goats being roughly handled, stuffed into bags and car boots and sold into unapproved facilities, which is against current ESCAS regulations.

Sheep and cattle suffer in Israel
Footage filmed by an undercover Israeli journalist and provided to RSPCA Australia shows sheep being aggressively beaten, thrown and dragged by a single leg, and injured cattle being repeatedly shocked on the face, eyes and genitals with an electric prodder. RSPCA Australia makes a formal complaint to the Australian Government.

21,000 sheep stranded at sea
The MV Ocean Drover spends over two weeks stranded at sea carrying 21,000 sheep after being rejected by Bahraini authorities.

2012 | September

Breeding animals in Qatar
RSPCA Australia lodges a complaint with the Australian Government over the deaths of 7,000 sheep and a number of dairy and breeder cows and calves that perished from malnutrition and heat stress at a facility in Qatar. A subsequent investigation by the Australian Government fails to result in any action being taken as breeder animals are not covered by ESCAS

Cattle suffer in Indonesia
ABC’s Latelineairs an expose into breaches of the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System. Cattle are seen being tripped over and falling onto their sides in restraint boxes just before being slaughtered.

Regulation introduced
The introduction of Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) means that for the first time exporters will be required to meet minimum animal welfare standards in importing countries. Prior to ESCAS, exporters were only required to track exported animals from the property of origin in Australia to the port of export and report on the outcome of the voyage.

2011 | October

Buffalo die at sea
8 buffalo die en route to Indonesia; heat stress is recorded as a possible cause of death.

Cattle die at sea
10 cattle die en route to Brunei Darussalam; a lack of records means the cause of death is unknown.

2011 | August

Farmer report released
An independent review of Australia’s Livestock Export Trade (Farmer Report) is released. It was designed to assist the Australian Government in establishing new safeguards for livestock exports and included 14 recommendations which ultimately led to the development of the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS).

2011 | August

67,000 sheep stranded
Australian sheep are stranded for more than a week on the MV Al Messilah at the Adelaide Port before being off loaded and reloaded onto another vessel and exported to the Middle East.

2011 | August

Sheep and cattle suffer in Turkey
An investigation into cruel practices in Turkish abattoirs shows Australian sheep and cattle being hoisted up by their hind legs before having their throats cut while fully conscious.

2011 | June

Sheep die at sea
703 sheep die at sea en route to Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain because of heat stress, exhaustion caused by lack of nourishment, and enteritis.

Trade to Indonesia suspended
In response to the ABC Four Corners program ‘A Bloody Business’ and sustained public outcry to the treatment of Australian cattle in Indonesian abattoirs, Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig temporarily suspends the trade to Indonesia for 5 weeks. New arrangements for exports to Indonesia are announced (suspension ends) the following month, which require adherence to OIE standards for transport, handling and slaughter.

2011 | June

RSPCA Australia report released
This report provided independent and transparent investigation of the treatment of Australian cattle at the point of slaughter in Indonesia.

A Bloody Business
ABC’s Four Corners reveals horrific cruelty in Indonesian abattoirs in its well known story, ‘A Bloody Business’. For many Australians this was the first time they had been confronted with the horrors of live exports.

2010 | December

Cruelty during Festival of Sacrifice
A 7.30 Report investigation reveals Australian sheep suffering brutal treatment in the Middle East during the annual Festival of Sacrifice.

2010 | August

Sheep die at sea
1,407 sheep die (2.04%) due to heat stress during the last week of a voyage to Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE.

2010 | July

2,572 sheep die at sea
1,914 sheep die (3.67%) due to heat stress and enteritis/salmonellosis on a voyage from Portland to the Middle East, and a further 527 sheep die (2.08%) in the consignment from Adelaide to the Middle East (on the same shipment). A total of 2,572 sheep died on this ship. (Note - a further 131 sheep were found dead, but it was not known which port they loaded).

2010 | June

Sheep die at sea
913 sheep (2.5%) die due to heat stress and enteritis/salmonellosis on a voyage to the Middle East. Note – over 200 sheep died before the ship even left Australian waters (a formal complaint was lodged with WA authorities).

2010 | March

Cattle die at sea
263 cattle die on board a ship during a voyage to Egypt, the first consignment since trade with the country was banned back in 2006.

2010 | February

Cattle die at sea
295 cattle die en route to Egypt because of pneumonia caused by heat stress, deck conditions, and stress as a result of co-mingling, the environment and transport.

2000-2009

2009 | November

Sheep die mid-flight
138 sheep die (7.36%) during a live export flight to Malaysia. The ventilation on the plane was inadequate and the sheep died due to high temperatures, humidity and ammonia levels in the hold of the plane.

2009 | August

Sheep die at sea
756 sheep die (2.19%) due to heat stress and enteritis/salmonellosis on a voyage to the Middle East.

2009 | March

Cattle give birth and die at sea
Against regulations, 20 heavily pregnant cows are included in a shipment to Kuwait. During the voyage 9 adult cows die or are euthanised because of septicaemia or birthing related injuries. Of the 20 calves born at sea; 3 were stillborn and 8 were euthanased – these deaths were not part of the ‘official’ death rate figures recorded by the Australian Government.

2009 | February

Cattle die at sea
During a voyage to Indonesia 5 cattle are euthanased, another 9 die because of heat and humidity caused by ventilation problems.

2008 | December

Cattle die at sea
21 cattle die en route to Indonesia; the cause of death is unknown.

2008 | Novemeber

Goats die at sea
18 goats die at sea during a voyage to Singapore because of heat and humidity.

2008 | May

Cattle die mid-flight
14 cattle suffocate to death during a flight to Malaysia because of inadequate ventilation in the lower cargo compartment of the aircraft.

2008 | February

RSPCA report published
RSPCA Australia report Australian Livestock Export Standards – a flawed process is published. An analysis of the quality of Australian’s live export standards (ASEL) and the inability to be properly enforced, the report concluded that the standards were ineffective in ensuring the welfare of exported livestock and that combined with the mistreatment, poor handling and inhumane slaughter in importing countries, the live export trade presents an intractable animal welfare problem.

Sheep suffer in the Middle East
An investigation by the ABC’s 730 Report shows distressed Australian sheep being dragged and thrown. Transporters, handlers and slaughterman openly inflict cruelty on these animals while being filmed.

Cattle die at sea
5 cattle are euthanased because of injuries sustained during a voyage to Indonesia.

Cattle die at sea
4 cattle are euthanised because of injuries incurred during a voyage to Indonesia. According to a Government report the slippery floors on board the vessel contributed to causing the injuries.

Sheep die at sea
622 sheep (4.16%) die in one consignment and 349 die (2.34%) in a second consignment on the same shipment to Oman.

2007 | March

Cattle die at sea
64 cattle have to be euthanised at sea because of injuries sustained as a result of severe weather conditions created by a nearby cyclone en route to Indonesia.

2006 |

Trade to Egypt suspended
The Howard government announces that the live trade to Egypt is suspended and a stock-take of all Middle East facilities is undertaken as a result of Animals Australia’s exposure of horrific cruelty at Cairo’s Basateen Abattoir. Trade recommenced in 2008 under a ‘closed system’ which restricts the sale of animals to two specific feedlots and abattoirs.

2006 | December

Cattle die at sea
43 cattle die en route to Eliat because of an outbreak of pneumonia.

2006 | November

862 sheep die at sea
The MV Maysora arrived in Eilat Israel in early November where it was rejected due to a suspected scabby mouth outbreak in sheep from an earlier voyage on the MV Bader III. Some of the sheep are offloaded in nearby Jordan and others (approximately 40,000) were unexpectedly taken to Egypt and killed during the Eid Al Adha festival. 862 sheep died on the month long voyage.

2006 | October

Cattle die at sea
248 cattle die at sea en route to Israel and Jordan because of pneumonia, heat stress and leg injuries/septicaemia.

Cattle die at sea
15 cattle are euthanased on-board ship after being deemed unfit or unable to be discharged upon arrival in Malaysia.

2006 | September

Sheep die at sea
373 sheep die at sea because of what is believed to be salmonella en route to Oman.

2006 | July

Sheep die at sea
449 sheep die as a result of heat stress en route to Jebel Ali, Bahrain and Doha.

Cattle die at sea
7 cattle die en route to Malaysia, some as a result of pneumonia.

2006 | March

Cattle die at sea
11 cattle die during a voyage to South Korea as a result of heat stress caused by spending 11 days in high temperatures and humidity.

2006 | February

1,690 animals die at sea
The MV Al Messilah loaded 786 cattle in Portland, Victoria, and then loaded 71,309 sheep in Devonport, Tasmania for a trip to several Middle Eastern countries, including Kuwait. Thousands of sheep were rejected at the feedlot prior to loading due to 'pink eye' infections and other problems. Fully laden, the staff resources were not sufficient to treat all the cattle (6 died) and sheep that became ill. 1683 (2.36%) of the sheep die - due to heat stress and failure to eat, exacerbated by pink eye and other problems.

2006 | January

Goats die at sea
51 goats die at sea on a voyage to Malaysia because of ‘rapid feed ration changes and an extended time on the vessel due to maintenance problems’.

2004 | May

Standards introduced
The Australian Government introduced mandatory standards (Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock – ASEL) for the long-distance transport of animals to overseas markets. The ASEL are referenced in Commonwealth law and the livestock export industry must comply with the standards as a condition of a license to export.

2003 | December

Keniry Report released
The Keniry Report was the result of a review of the livestock export industry commissioned by the Federal Government in response to the Cormo Express incident (2002). It examined the adequacy of standards and regulatory arrangements, focusing on the Middle East because of the number of adverse incidents reported in that trade. It made 8 key recommendations to improve the trade, and resulted in the development of the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock.

2003 | October

6,000 sheep die at sea
Saudi Arabia rejects the MV Cormo Express (allegedly on disease grounds) in August, with 57,000 sheep on board. No other country will take the sheep and it was late October before Eritrea agreed to offload them. 10%(around 6,000) of sheep die during the three month-long voyage. Australia suspends all live exports to Saudi Arabia (trade with the country resumed in mid-2005 following the signing of an MOU).

2002 | July

More than 15,000 sheep die
Four shipments of sheep record high death rates during exports to the Middle East, totalling 15,156 sheep deaths during the voyage and discharge phase of the trips. Cormo Express has 1,064 sheep die, the Corriedale Express has 6,119 sheep die, the Al Shuwaikh has 5,800 sheep die, and Al Messila has 2,173 sheep die. The Australian government conducts 4 separate inquiries. At least one ship, the Al Shuwaikh, is allowed to load more sheep in September and leave for the Middle East before any reports are completed, albeit with an AQIS vet on board. A further 2,304 (3%) sheep die.

2002 |

Over 2,000 animals die at sea
The MV Becrux, on its maiden voyage boasting the ability to provide the highest standard of animal welfare, carried 60,000 sheep and 1,995 cattle from Portland Victoria to Saudi Arabia. 1,400 sheep die along with 880 cattle after the vessel met high temperatures (45 degrees) and humidity in the Arabian Gulf. The ship is later renamed the MV Ocean Drover.

1990-1999

1998 |

RSPCA report released
The Report on the Livestock Export Trade examined the welfare problems associated with the export of livestock from Australia and drew attention to the inadequacies of existing controls over the trade. The report made 28 recommendations for improvements to the regulation of the trade, many of which were subsequently adopted, including mandatory standards for export, improved selection processes, training for stockpersons, and improvements to on-board ventilation and management.

1996 |

Vessel sinks drowning 1592 cattle
1592 cattle drown on 9 November when the Guernsey Express sank after taking water in a typhoon on its way to Osaka.

1996 |

More than 60,000 sheep burn at sea
67,488 sheep die when fire breaks out on board the Uniceb; 8 days elapse before any rescue attempt is made.

1991 |

30,000 sheep die
Australian sheep arrive in war-devastated Kuwait and some 30,000 sheep die from heat stroke and dehydration due to poor infrastructure and feedlot facilities.

1990 |

Sheep stranded at sea
The Mawashi Al Gasseem, carrying 86,000 sheep is rejected by Saudi Arabia, later unloading 54,000 in the UAE, the remaining sheep (26,000) are not unloaded until February 1991 when they are accepted by Jordan.

10,000 sheep die at sea
The "state of the art" Cormo Express leaves New Zealand headed for the Middle East, during the voyage almost 10,000 sheep die due to inadequate ventilation causing heat stroke, pneumonia, other diseases and failure to eat.

1980-1989

1989 |

Sheep rejected
In August, the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation (AMLC) formally suspends trade to Saudi Arabia, however, two shipments were already on the water – both are subsequently rejected. The ban was in place until trial shipments of sheep commenced in 2000.

Sheep rejected
A ship carrying Australian sheep is rejected by Saudi Arabia due to alleged sheep pox. The sheep are subsequently unloaded in Abu Dhabi for 1 week, then reloaded onto another ship – the El Cordero – and are reported to subsequently be refused by both Jordan and Egypt – even after being offered as a gift.

Senate Select Committee report released
A report titled Export of Live Sheep from Australia by the Senate Select Committee on Animal Welfare is released. It states “the Committee came to the conclusion that, if a decision were to be made on the future of the trade purely on animal welfare grounds, there is enough evidence to stop the trade.” The report made 29 separate recommendations to the way the trade was conducted.

Sheep die before leaving port
15,000 sheep die from exposure in Portland, Australia, feedlots while waiting to be loaded and exported.

1983 |

Sheep die at sea
A ventilation breakdown on the Mukairish Althaleth causes 70 sheep to die each day.

1981 |

Sheep die during transfer
635 sheep die during a transfer from the Kahleej Express to the Al Shuwaikh.

Sheep die at sea
8,764 sheep perish on-board The Persia due to a ventilation breakdown.

1981 |

Sheep at sea report released
The Sea Transport of Sheep report by Australian Bureau of Animal Health found a number of deficiencies in the conduct of the trade that ‘needed to be rectified’ including inadequate pre-export preparation, ‘topping-up’ consignments with unsuitable sheep, poor facilities in yards, feedlots and on-board ship, unskilled people involved in handling and supervision, low quality feed and water and ventilation issues on the vessels. The Australian Government accepted all the conclusions and recommendations in the report.

1980 |

More than 40,000 sheep die at sea
40,605 sheep (the entire cargo of animals) perish in a fire aboard the Farid Fares while at sea.

Sheep die at sea
A disease outbreak kills 2,713 sheep on the Kahleej Express while at sea.

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